Airbags are found all over vehicles and the automakers keep applying airbags throughout vehicles. The Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) are U.S. federal regulations that require automakers to manufacture safer vehicles. Safer vehicles are accomplished by developing new technologies and optimizing current used safety features. For example, roof airbag curtains deploy from the roof rails to shield and protect occupants. With the new Occupant Ejection Mitigation standard curtain airbags are used in conjunction with laminated side glass to keep occupants inside the vehicle. Curtain airbags provide protection between the occupant and the window glass.
Rescuers are taught to peel and peek to find airbags hidden underneath the interior plastic trim. However, we need to understand multiple airbags and stored gas inflators are in many vehicles currently out on the road. A great example is the 2015 Ford Transit. The Transit has a side curtain airbag that is close to 17 feet long and uses two stored gas inflators, each 2 feet long.
Vehicles like station wagons and SUVs can have multiple airbags to cover occupants in the 3rd-row seats. The important takeaway, never assume locating the one stored gas inflator enables blind cutting on roof rails and pillars.
Techniques
Heavy Stabilization & Lift Class

Heavy Stabilization & Lift Class
This weekend, Toranze Lee and Premier Extrication held their Heavy Stabilization and Lifting class taught. The class focused on advanced techniques using the Paratech equipment, eDraulic tools, grip hoists, vehicle stabilization methods, airbags for lifting, power tools, and the use of heavy wreckers for extrication.
Some of the departments that attended:
Building Collapse
Houston Fire Department’s Trailer 11
Check out Houston Fire Department’s new Trailer 11 purchased from Metro Fire Apparatus Specialists, Inc. It’s packed for of Paratech equipment with room for more!

Houston Fire Department’s Trailer 11
Check out Houston Fire Department’s new Trailer 11 purchased from Metro Fire Apparatus Specialists, Inc. Check out the pictures below and make sure you follow the social media pages from Metro Fire Apparatus Specialists.
Overall Pictures
Compartments Pictures
Rear Pictures
Heavy Rescue
Overturned Tractor-Trailer Extrication

Overturned Tractor-Trailer Extrication
Check out the overturned Tractor-Trailer, confirmed entrapment, and power pole down that Elizabethtown Fire Dept Station 74 had earlier today.